If you have ever left your radio or TV on to keep your dog company and quell its separation anxiety while you were away, you are not alone. Charles Snowdon, an animal psychologist, recently reported that many people believe their pets have similar music tastes as them, and will leave the radio on, assuming the pet enjoys it.

"We have a very human tendency to project onto our pets and assume that they will like what we like," Snowdon, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Life's Little Mysteries. "People assume that if they like Mozart, their dog will like Mozart. If they like rock music, they say their dog prefers rock."

However, Snowdon recently found that humans and animals have different preferences for music based on the particular ranges of their vocal chords and tempos of their heart beats. That means that animals with faster heartbeats might enjoy a must faster tempo than what humans are able to comprehend. The same goes for the pitch of the music.

Instead of playing music to help ease separation anxiety in dogs, a more effective approach may be to use crate training. According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs who are taught a positive association with a crate can find it a relaxing, safe and secure place to be. If your dog thinks of his crate as his own personal den, it can be a solution to separation anxiety that music or other noise cannot fix. You can talk to your veterinarian about other options for managing separation anxiety in your pet. This condition can cause nervous behaviors that could cause a dog to chew its own fur, a habit that can lead to sore hot spots on dogs. It may also cause your dog to chew things around the house and exhibit other negative behaviors.

HOW TO REACH US

VCA Bering Sea Animal Hospital

Phone: 907-344-5535

Fax: 907-349-2977

1347 East 74th Avenue

Anchorage,
AK99518

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Sat-Sun 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The third Saturday of each month we have a vaccine clinic from 9am to 1pm. Each vaccine is $15.00. No appt needed walk-in basis only. No exam required.

Emergency

In case of emergency, please call us immediately. If it is after hours, please contact Pet Emergency at 907-274-5636.

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